Southend United manager Steve Tilson says he is trying to negotiate a deal with Town which would see full-back Dan Harding remain at Roots Hall. Harding – along with Billy Clarke and Matt Richards – played the last game of his half-season loan yesterday.
Tilson says he is keen to complete a deal which would see Harding stay with the League One side: "He's a good player, a good left-back and we're trying to sort out something with Ipswich.â€Â
Harding, whose Town contract is up in the summer, says he would be delighted to remain at Roots Hall: "I've absolutely loved my time here at Southend and would like to stay.
"It's out of my hands really what happens now, but I would like to return and, although we've lost to MK Dons, I thought we've again shown what we can do.
"We shouldn't have lost and a performance like this coming on the back of beating Northampton on Boxing Day shows we are moving in the right direction.â€Â
Harding was recently linked with Reading, who are managed by Steve Coppell, Brighton's boss during the left-back's time at the Withdean Stadium, while other Championship clubs may also be interested in his signature.